Flat Trowel vs Curved Trowel (Drywall Trowels)

Which is best????? Watch to find out!!
Patreon: www.patreon.co...
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This is a great FLAT trowel if you are looking for one: amzn.to/3g7wlmC
Here is a CURVED blade one: amzn.to/3m84Fl3
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I make a small commission from purchases through this link. Thank you for the support!

[@xxxXXXjdXXXxxx]

I really like that you leave your errors in. We all know how skilled you are at mudding, and are well aware of your knowledge in finishing drywall. To see someone of your level of expertise encounter a variety of technical problems, including how you handle those problems, is highly instructive.

[@AY-cj9kp]

What a great attitude, keep laughing on yourself as this adds flavor to your videos! Don’t retake videos if something doesn’t go right, people appreciate your videos as is

[@briansegall1084]

I got my first trowel after seeing you use them in a lot of your videos. I started using it and had a really awful time - basically what you showed in this video. Lines everywhere, hard to feather. I thought I sucked at using a trowel so I went back to a 10" knife. I found out months later I had been using a curved trowel! I never noticed when I bought it because nothing on the label said it was curved. Then I got an actual flat trowel and I was getting good results within minutes. I love my flat trowel!

[@randomrazr]

does it matyter if its a rigid or flex trowel for the flat?

[@kendallwillis]

Me too! ugh I have a curved trowel

[@MobyBrickFlicks]

How can u find out? I got one from lowes, it doesn't look curved but doesn't look perfectly flat either

[@briansegall1084]

​@@MobyBrickFlicks I noticed it was curved when I put it down on a countertop and looked at it from the side. The curve was obvious compared to the flat countertop. When I bought my flat trowel, I made sure it was flat by putting it against whatever straight edge was nearby. I think I used the shelving unit's vertical posts or something.

[@MobyBrickFlicks]

@briansegall1084 ah ok. I was looking at mine again after making this comment and I think it is curved too. I had tried it on a counter top too but the curve was so slight I wasn't sure if it was the counter or the trowel lol

[@tycovie]

Gave you a thumbs up as soon as I saw the realness of your vid. I thought I was doing something wrong when I get bits of something in my mud. Love the realness, keep it real. 🔥🔥🔥

[@CalgaryBen]

I'm a DIYer who's done my own drywall and finishing for over 3 decades, always with good results (slow and steady, and definitely not ever efficiently to the point that I'd be able to make a living doing this!). I could never quite get the hang of using a trowel for drywall. After watching your videos, I tried using a trowel but find I get a lot of chatter -- must be that I haven't developed the right muscles! I get much better results using various sizes of knives. You sure make using the trowel look easy! You did convert me to using a hawk instead of a pan, though. Now my pan is just for holding tools and as a fancy water scoop, and perhaps for mixing the occasional batch of hot mud. Thanks for your videos! I've joined the thousands of folks who probably talk to themselves when doing drywall work: "feather your edge, feather your edge..."

[@dhammer5645]

I only have one curved trowel for just these reasons, they work great on first coat for flats and corner bead.

[@JMBranded]

I’m still a drywall newbie, but I made the jump to using a hawk and trowel. I saw these curved trowels at the store and thought “I have not seen Ben use this type of trowel, looks scary”. I want to add that since going to the hawk/trowel, although still getting the hang of it, i even practiced moving mud on and off the hawk, including a practice wall like you showed in your beginners video, I was surprised how much lesser impact there was on the joints. Especially my wrist. Thank you Ben for remaining human in your videos, I always learn a lot from them 👍

[@rickkrieger4455]

I have a curved trowel but I never use it because just like you said I don't have time for messing with different tools. Plus I don't do big projects so a knife and a pan works best for me. Thanks for the video.

[@travisk5589]

Ben has become the Bob Ross of drywall finishing.

[@sawdustadikt979]

I have a pair of these I use on but joints. I’m self taught and I agree that they are very tricky to use. But sticking with it and continually doing all I can to use them to the best of my ability has gone a long long way. When I do use them, i do any of the joints to be done that day first thing with 20 min setting compound so I can get. Another coat on with the next size up if needed or start the first flat trowel coat to blend it. Everything has its uses if you are willing to see it and learn how it can be best used. Including if it’s hard for you to to figure it out. I gave up on taping three different times, swore I would never do it ever again. But then couldn’t let it beat me, I didn’t think I gave it my true best effort to figure it out. Here I am a couple decades later, I can’t move as fast as a taper(I’m a finish/renovation carpenter) but my taping is crisp and tight. And now I get to capitalize on what I’ve taught myself with watching your tutorials, seeing what I got wrong, what I got right and exactly what I need to improve on and how to do it. Thank you for all your efforts! We are all better from it!

[@steveknievel]

Mines got a bit of a curve on it, but she's never complained.

[@chrisdaer670]

You can do butt joints with a curve trowel with a similar principle; start 1st coat by pulling a curve off of either side of the tape. This essentially creates a factory bevel. Then second coat is basically 3 trowels wide; fill in the middle and then feather off of both sides. Then 3rd coat is a tight skim, ready for finish sand. Vc; you're excellent on a trowel; alot of what you do is analogous to plaster work where only flat trowels are used. Technique is great. Keep up the good work.

[@junk3996]

exactly. except the 3rd coat. shouldn't ever need that i use curve on everything for fill coat. flat on finish coat since its just a tight skim. doing butt joints the way you describe is best IMO. it feathers it out basically 3 feet wide nice and smooth. you'll never see it.

[@coreyobr26]

I learned crackfilling from an older man on the job site. He used a curved trowel for his first coat over tape on all of his joints and everything looked amazing and we hardly had to sand anything off when he was done. I now have grown up and adapted to this method and I find it hard to break habits. I've tried using straight trowel on the first coat but I just have a hard time getting used to it now.

[@robertbamford8266]

Not going to rush to get one. Or even walk slowly to get one. But I am going to check to see if I inadvertently bought one. Hope not. Thanks for the info and the video.

[@mreinecker]

I did the exact thing you mentioned. I watch your videos and I was like hey, let me grab a trowel he’s always using one. And I tried it and got those crazy lines on the side and was so frustrated. Then I realized I bought a curved trowel by accident. I will probably never use it again (home owner renovating my house, not a contractor)

[@tkwilson71]

Same same same.

[@jasonbellows7]

Same guys 😢 lowes has the flat ones in AZ

[@billbriggs2309]

The guys I know with curved trowels do their wide joints a little differently than what you have shown. They do the outside passes first and let them dry before a final pass down the center. Or maybe the center pass first.

[@markoshun]

Agree, that’s probably a good way of using a curved trowel in production work. In remodeling/repairs, the time saved with fewer lift-offs to sand would be more than lost waiting for extra coats to dry and more set-up/clean-up, etc after each pass.

[@brentmullins5837]

Ive been plastering drywall for 10 years now and I always use my curved trowels. We always doing our but joints the way that Bill Briggs explained

[@fomoco300k]

I’ve heard of people doing that. Never tried it much. Seemed kind of arbitrary or backwards. 🤷‍♂️

[@charlottenee8018]

You might want to consider a profession in comedy! Despite that, I have learned a lot from your videos--thanks very much!

[@VC-Toronto]

Setting type compound does shrink. It certainly does shrink less than pre-mixed compound, but it does shrink. USG spec sheets list it as "low shrinkage", not as "no shrinkage". If it were no shrinkage I would not need to second coat screws when I use 90 minute setting type compound for the first pass and the drying compound sucks into the recess where the Phillips bit goes.

[@DanishPaintTech]

So sweet my genious,,,,,,,!.info👌

[@michaelsmolinsky8041]

It takes practice, once you learn to use a curved trowel correctly, you can do a great job finishing joints. I have been using them for years.

[@br00klyngreek13]

Bro...I love your videos and it's made me a excellent drywall mudder...but your videos never go smoothly haha...makes us dudes that aren't as fast as you feel good when a pro has the same problems as us normal guys

[@barbaral4157]

Always wondered ! Thanks from Montreal 😎

[@MannyXI-V]

Vancouver carpenter knows soo much about taping! Badass!

[@alexziegler8067]

I learned on hawk and trowel, both flat and curved. I used curved so I don't have what you call lift offs and for me that means less sanding. I use mostly tape tech now though, with exceptions like firewalls, expansion joints etc. I especially like curve trowels on butt joints. Saw this video and had to check it out. Your logic is sound but there's always another way. Great personality and very logical, great job.

[@MegaDavyk]

In Australia and New Zealand that is a bowed trowel, I love mine, I also have a trowel we call a curved trowel which is wider at the ends and narrower in the middle, I was taught to use it for topping recessed joints but now only use it to crown butt joints on the second coat which it is really good for.

[@-supremebeing-]

I'm glad you did another video on these, in your first video you weren't using the curved trowel properly, the thing with Curves is you have to use significant pressure when doing your passes, I use both curved and flat trowels. For butt joints, think of a flat box... You have to build both sides up first and then fill in the middle, the tools are actually very similar if you think about it. But as you mentioned in your video, it takes too much time waiting for mud to dry, that's why we use quickset for first coat.

[@blueplasma5589]

So a curved trowel could tire you out faster having to use more pressure?

[@-supremebeing-]

@@blueplasma5589 im sure if very well could.

[@ltridge504]

I love your videos! The remodel that I currently have underway, I decided to try hawk and trowel. Thought it to be a mistake at first as I bought a curved trowel and had the gouges on a wide patch. Thankfully, i had a rather clean concrete trowel and switched to that. Definitely going to continue with the hawk on larger projects!

[@Newokie59]

Man, I swear I learn a little something with each video!

[@bay9876]

Flat trowel for getting creative, curved trowel for production along long joints and corners

[@eduardougalde521]

Funny story bro I remember about 2 years ago first getting into drywall because I was doing a lot Of Renovation type Work I saw your videos of course and decided to But a flat trowel Especially bec you said it’s less damage to the wrist after a long day of work!! everything went perfect and my wrist felt great A few jobs later And very little drywall practice I had to buy a new one Bec I lost the original flat trowel Turns out I bought a curved trowel I didn’t know at the time I thought they were all flat !! Everything went wrong!!! bad lines,nothing flat, and completely made a mess I immediately went back to Home Depot bought a 10in knife and everything went perfect again!! Then I realized wait this knife is flat and this trowel is curved is that what made the difference Didn’t really understand at the time but I figured that made the most sense..that same day Automatically I threw the curved trowel away and haven’t looked back since Lol but thanks for the knowledge I do see how it applies for flats,and corner beads !!!

[@blueplasma5589]

I took a straight concrete trowel and curved it a little thinking I had a great new idea but haven't even used it yet. Then I saw they made them and thought I my regret the altering to the tool. I'm a newbe to this craft.

[@TommyDisaCULT]

My father is teaching me curve trowels, I just started drywall finishing 4 months ago and I'm doing jobs myself for our company, funny though that I suck with flat trowels and pan and knife. i guess its just about what you learn first

[@fomoco300k]

You just outlined every reason I hated the curved trowel and hawk I got from Home Depot or wherever I bought it 15 years ago. Tried to use it a couple of times and almost threw it away when I moved five years ago, but I thought maybe I would find somebody to teach me sometime or somebody to give it to. Now I realize it wasn’t just my inexperience with one. It was that dog gone curve giving me trouble. Maybe one day I’ll try a flat trowel if I run across one. I think it could be handy for those extra wide joints like you did in the video and maybe for ceilings. 🤷‍♂️. But for tape joints and small patches I like a good 10” knife.

[@10pct2_the_big_guy]

Nice video, thanks!

[@fastmover45]

i love my bucket trowel at least if i am haveing a bad day i can throw the mud on with it and end the day with a clean bucket :)

[@ryaniverson7644]

Those crumbs make me cringe a little lol I feel your pain there hahaha

[@stea2494]

Thx, i learned something today

[@stephenzwemer2905]

Saw a recent video by an accomplished painter / wallpaper and drywall guy. He used a 14” pool trowel. Both ends were rounded. It did not leave any lines / edges. Looked great. But then he’s very skilled and accomplished. Curious as to your experience and opinion of using a pool trowel on drywall. Looks like it might have advantages? I mostly need to skim coat after wallpaper and popcorn ceiling removal Thank you in advance Enjoy your videos You make it look so easy

[@Aepek]

For me, would only use a curved trowel on new construction jobs where we would do the Sheetrock etc…. That said, primarily only do remodels; so, I find using a curved trowel to be awkward and prefer my other tools instead.

[@eddyarseneau4822]

I agree with you, when matching old and new it never lines up properly I find myself using a round swimming pool trowel at times.

[@tombushell5375]

Technically you are using a bevelled trowel. A curved trowel is different again. I use a 8" Curved trowel for second coat and a Curved 12" for my top coat for my flats when I'm coating by hand. Must just be a Aussie thing.

[@davidstorebo1509]

I struggle with these. My least used trowel.

[@k.d.8924]

one benefit of a knife over a trowel. 1 tool 2 functions. Imho.

[@JoseTorres-tk2mj]

Never tried them but I will now... I like straight joint knifes

[@markhooker8520]

Excellent video. Thanks for making it.

[@ruslanglinskiy3554]

Can you use floor float trowels for drywall ? I used it and it doesn’t seem like a problem.

[@joshwwarren]

Hey I had a wall over 8' and did that in the middle! Hopefully that means I'm not crazy.

[@markpinther9296]

I suddenly dont feel so bad about my mudding! Just joking! i suck at mixing mud so I always buy premixed.

[@carverdahlin2728]

Any full time drywaller I've seen never uses a curved trowel, especially me. One labour worker I hired swore by it so I let him use it, made all my beads humped so I had so much grinding to do. I hate them lol

[@dbrown2746able]

So simple but so interesting

[@bradlywilson2160]

Your so real. I guess everyone has the crumb problem. Lol

[@alder50]

Thanks!

[@calvinkragt2677]

I love my curved trowels I always coat my but joints with setting mud using my 12 inch and on corners I use my 14inch to put on the final coat of regular mud you are right they do take time and practice before you get the the spot were they are your freind. Nut if you are a hand finisher I think you should have one

[@Liljoejoe54]

Great video! I bought a trowel and didn't realize it was curved until I started using it. I was wondering why the tool kept digging in and leaving deep tool marks.

[@mckenziesmall6275]

Damn, that has quite a hook, is like a friggin Koho

[@jeremychildress3931]

I use a curved trowel on flats and corner bead too

[@djsmudgeke6192]

Please do a video on ruff n tuff,I like your explanations.

[@Miguel.Garcia]

Curved trowels are great for feathering edges

[@MLK60100]

Love my curved trowel

[@heathersellitto197]

My Husband and I are having the worst time, line, bubbles, you name it. What could we be doing wrong? can you do a video on a really bad diy wall and how to fix it? This is NOT as easy as it looks so you reall know what your doing!!!

[@CG-11235spiral]

Whatever you sir are a gangster at this shit

[@splanzza]

Sooooo, when looking for a flat trowel one should look for concrete trowel amongst concrete tools (or follow your affiliate link) vs trowel in drywall department at big-box store because they are all curved (convex or concave), is that the lesson too? 👽

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Yes👍

[@xavytex]

Concrete trowels are more rigid than drywall trowels, although they look the same. Rigid trowels are not good for drywall as you need some flex to feather the edges without cutting into the paper face. If you’re a diyer, get a 12” knife. It’s easier for beginners.

[@jasonbellows7]

@@xavytex you sir are my hero. Could not find an answer if concrete flat trowels were any different than the drywall flat trowels. Don’t know why Home Depot only carries the rounded trowel. Luckily looks like Lowes carries the drywall flat trowels. 👍

[@kaosaephan123]

Are drywall knives the same ? I curved all my drywall knives should I buy a new set ?

[@jasonbellows7]

Unfortunately Home Depot in the US only carries the curved dry wall trowel, but lowes carries the flat trowels. Is there any difference between a flat concrete trowel and a flat drywall trowel?

[@ltridge504]

I'm not the authority on the subject, but i have one of my concrete trowels dedicated with my hawk now. Only difference that i can think of off hand would be stainless v carbon steel. My concrete trowels are all carbon steel. Some people prefer stainless for drywall tools.

[@dismaldog]

I was waiting for the big gun then at the end-The big 20"er

[@ThePool911black]

Can you use it for putting tape on a flat ceiling?

[@markmyers7426]

So, curved trowels give a better finish for flats, outside corners, and butt joints but nah... to much trouble to use the better tool, let's use a cement trowel instead......lol. Two passes on either side of that transition with a curved 14" and you will have a way better finish than that backhanded mess with your flat.

[@user-yr7hj8kj6t]

like it very much

[@weekendwarrior3420]

I guess it can save a coat on the joints it's good at.

[@NicoSmets]

I suppose that was your skateboard I spotted today at concerned mother.

[@joeschmo8115]

Do you have a particular brand of trowel and sizes that you would recommend? Thanks!

[@djsmudgeke6192]

Sir you it should be better if you just do a video on ruff n tuff

[@renannascimento2423]

👍🏽

[@TapelessDrywallFinishing]

👍👍👍

[@gme10955]

Unless it saves you from doing two coats, I don't see the point.

[@mikev.1034]

👍👍

[@everythinglandscaping3862]

You didn't even put no effort in to it you can see it would of worked to smooth it out

[@kainejoyes2981]

Mean while in England…..plasterers are laughing…

[@jimyounger9490]

I’m with you , I can’t stand a curved trowel.